Shoe strap



April 29, 1930. BALLOU ET AL SHOE STRAP Filed April 13, 1928 Patented Apr. 29, 1930 Uiran STATES FREDERICK A. BALLOU, OF NAYATT, AN 13' ROGERS T. STAFFORD, OF EAST PROVIDENCE,

RHODE ISLAND, ASSIGNORS TOB. A. BALLO'U & 00., ENG, OF PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND, A CORPORATION OF RHODE ISLAND SHOE STRAP Application filed April 13,

This invention relates to a shoe strap of the type more particularly adapted to be worn in connection with a slipper or opera pump provided with an instep strap; and has for its object to provide a strap which will assist in holding the shoe in place on the foot of the wearer and at the same time not cause discomfort to the foot.

A. further object of the invention is the provision of a strap which will extend from the forward margin of the foot opening to an instep strap extending across from one edge of the shoe to the other with means for detachably connecting the ends of the strap to the forward margin of the foot opening and to the instep strap whereby the same may be completely detached to permit the shoe to be worn without the strap, if desired.

A still further object of the invention is the forming of a shoe strap extending from the forward edge of the foot opening to the instep strap which shall be elastic to permit of yieldingly longitudinal extension of the strap itself and movement of the instep strap to which it is connected to better conform to the muscular action of the foot in walking dancing or the like.

The invention further consists in the provision of a strap of the type above mentioned which is highly ornamental in appearance to dress up and add to the attractive features of the foot and shoe when worn in connection therewith. I With these and other objects in view, the invention consists of certainnovel features of construction as will be more fully described, and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.-

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a shoe showing the strap attached thereto.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the back of the connecting strapshowing one end engaging the instep strap of the shoe.

1928. Serial No. 269,837.

Figure 3 is a side elevation of the construction shown in Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 2 showing a modification of the attaching means for securing the connecting strap to the instep strap.

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4; showing a modification in the strap itself between its attaching clips at its ends.

Figure 6 is a still further modification illustrating the connecting strap in conjunction witha metallic elastic instep strap. with an ornament at its center.

Figure 7 is a sectional view through the i ornamental portion of the strap shown in Figure 6.

In foot wear especially of the slipper or opera. pump type, considerable difficulty is often experienced in properly securing the shoe on the foot to prevent slipping at-the heel and atthe same time'affordingproper comfort to the foot of the wearer; and in order to assist in securing a shoe of this type in position and at the same time ornament the shoe and the foot of the wearer, we have constructed an ornamental strap for connecting the, instep strap of the shoe to the forward margin of the foot opening, which strap is elastic or yielding and extendible to exert a forward elastic strain on the instep, strap to assist in holding the heel of the shoe in place. The strap .is' provided with attachingmeans at its ends so constructed as to engage the instep strap or the forward margin of the shoe opening at any desired pointand.

be completely disconnected to allow the shoe to be worn without the strap when desired: and the following is a detailed description of the present embodiment of this invention illustrating means by which these advantageous results may be accomplished:

lVith reference to the drawing, 10 designates a shoe of the slipper or opera pump type having a foot opening 11. Some shoes of this type are provided with an instep strap 12 formed integral with the upper of the shoe on one side to extend from one edge 13 thereof to the opposite edge 14 to be secured in place by any suitable connection,

In other shoes of this type which are not made with an instep strap the same may be supplied by an instep strap 15 of the type illustrated in Figure 6 and as more fully disclosed in our Patents #1,6l0,104, August 23,

1927 and #1,660,215, February ,21, 1928. I The connecting strap 16 illustrated in Figure 1 extends from the instep strap 12 to the forward margin 17 of the foot opening and is'suitably connected thereto by means permitting complete detachment of the strap therefrom. We have found that a clip 18 having a body 19forming one jaw and a lever arm 20 forming the other jaw, which jaws are resiliently pressed together, isa suitable connection for the strap 16 to the forward edge of the foot opening; A spur 21 is provided and carried by the arm 20 for engagement with the inside of the margin of the shoe to assist in securing the same thereto.

The opposite end of the connecting strap is provided with some suitable means to engage the instep strap'to which it is desired to be connected. If the instep strap is of the common leather type which is a part of the shoe upper as above referred to, we find it desir able to provide an ornamental part 22 which has a part 23 formed as a hook to extend over the instep strap 12. A portion 24 of this hook forms a means to resist the longitudina-l pull of the connecting strap and tends to retain it against separation from the instep strap. V

In other instances, the attaching means for the instep strap may beas illustrated in Figure 4, which is similar to the clip 18 above referredto, and consistsof the parts 43 and 44 for engaging the outer and inner surfaces of the instep strap while a spur 25 acts as a portion to resist the longitudinal pull of the connecting strap and assists in prevention against separation from the 1nstep strap. In both of which cases, however,

7 it will be apparent that the connecting strap may be completely disconnected from the instep strap or connectedthereto without the necessity of sewing shoe buttons or any other securing means to the shoe.

7 This connecting strap may be disconnected be suitablyattached for releasablyrsecuring elastic strap is formed for the purposes hereinbefore mentioned.

In other instances, the strap may be of mesh fabric '33 which is of itself somewhat yielding and may have additional provisions therein for increasing the yielding effect thereof .such for instance as springs 34 extending longitudinally thereof.

In utilizing the strap which is the subject of the patents above mentioned, we provide a part 35 intermediate the ends thereof which may be in the form of an ornament, as 1llustrated in Figure 6, if desired, and which car ries a loop 37 to which a, hook such as 26 may the connecting strap thereto. r The attaching clip 18 may be suitably ornamented by means of wings 38 as illustrated in Figure 6, where desired, and the surface of the connecting strap may be jeweled, en-

graved, enameled or otherwise highly embellished and ornamented to form the same attractive appearance. 2 The foregoing description is directed solely towards the construction illustrated, but we desireit to be understood that we reserve 7 the privilege of restoring to all the mechanical changes to which the device is susceptible, the invention being definedand limited only by the terms of the appended claims. 7 Vfe claim 1. In combination, a shoe having a foot opening with an instep strap extending across from one side of the shoe to, the other, a con necting strap extending from the forward edge of the foot opening to said instep, strap, means for detachably securing the connecting strap to said instep strap, and means for de tachably securing said connecting strap to the forward edge of said foot opening.

' 2. In combination, a shoe having a foot opening with an instep strap extending across from one side of the shoe to the other, a connecting strap'extending from the forward edge of the foot opening to the said instep strap, releasable attaching means for securing the connecting strap to the instep, strap and margin of the foot opening consisting of parts engagmg the outer and lnnersurfaces of said instep strap and margin of the foot opening with portions positioned to engage other surfaces thereof to resist a longitudinal I pull on said connecting straptending to separate it therefrom. r a

3. In combination, a shoe having a foot opening with an instep strap extending across from one side of the shoe to the other, a con-' necting strap extending from the forward edge of the foot opening to said instep strap consisting of a plurality of units some of which are yieldinglyext-endible to form an elastic strap, and a securing clip at the forward end for engaging the forward margin of the foot opening, and means at the other end for detachably securing to the instep strap.

4. Ornamentation for, a shoe having an instep strap extending across from one side of the shoe to the other comprising a connecting strap provided with ornamentation over its top surface and means for connecting said strap at each of its ends respectively to said instep strap and to the forward margin of the foot opening,

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

FREDERICK A. BALLOU.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

ROGERS .T. STAFFORD. 

